Kayaking the Mighty Snake River in Idaho

Twin Falls, ID

Rock Creek County Park

 

 

Just before we arrived in Twin Falls, we were pulling out of a casino in Nevada and, wait a minute, who's pulling out in front of us?  It looks JUST LIKE US!

 

They turned back in when they saw us and probably said the same thing.  Turns out they have the same exact truck and trailer we do!  Twins!  We chatted and looked in each others trailers.  They were a very nice couple.  Have you seen your twin on the road?

 

Our new home for the week was Rock Creek County Park in Twin Falls, ID.  What a great place.  There is about 20 spots, fairly level, W&E for $15.  No dump station but there is a free dump about 2 miles away.  Very nice hosts.  This campground sits on Rock Creek.  There is a playground, walking paths, lots of covered picnic spots and Frisbee golf.  Wifi coverage for AT&T and Verizon was great.  Doggy friendly too.  This was a great place to stop over on our way to the Tetons.  Plenty of shopping and services all around.

Another shot of the camping area.

Rock Creek

 

On the weekend we decided to check out the Snake River to do some kayaking.  The Snake River originates in Wyoming and empties into the Columbia River in Oregon 1078 miles later.

The Perrine Bridge spans Hwy 93 over the Snake River.  It is about 1500 feet long and 486 feet above the river.  There is an amazing look out platform and a visitors center at this location.

The Blue Lake you see in the upper right corner provides drinking water for Twin Falls.

BASE jumping is very popular and allowed on this bridge.

 

 

There is a walkway alongside the bridge and they simply crawl over the railing, turn around and let go!  There is a grassy landing area below for them.  There were several jumpers this day.

 

 

This was a 7 mile round trip paddle.  We started out in Centennial Park which had the best kayak put-in dock that I've seen.  This made sure there would be no repeat of our little Texas disaster.  For a humorous read (to everyone except Steve!) read this post Go down about 1/2 way to where it's titled "It sounded like a good idea".

 

I didn't get a picture of the kayak dock, so this is off the internet.  It was exactly the same.

I thought this was the coolest kayak launch I had seen.  Steve wasn't too convinced.  There was no way he was going with his end first.  So I went with my end entering the water first.  Just glided right in perfectly.  Getting back out was just as easy.  Just paddle right up it.  Nice handrails too.

 

The 500 foot cliffs offer a variety of landscape.  There were several Osprey looking for a meal.

The viewing platforms looks much scarier from down here looking up.  I didn't realize it stuck out that far!

There are several small waterfalls that cascade down this gorge in several places. 

 

After paddling for a couple of miles you get to Pillar Falls.  If you want to continue on to the spectacular Shoshone Falls, you have to get out and portage (carry) the kayak around Pillar Falls.  Always a challenge when it's up, over and around boulders, bushes and water.

Not mine, picture from internet of Pillar Falls.

 

After paddling a few more miles, Shoshone Falls come into view.  The falls are taller than Niagara at 212 feet.

During really heavy flows, the water runs in a complete semi-circle.

On the way back we past this cute family of ducks.

As a storm was approaching, there were several of us trying to get back to the dock quickly.  The rain started just after we pulled the kayak out.  Now to find a nice little place nearby to get a nibble and a sip.  I found a nice pub nearby called Dunken's Draught House.  Steve had an Idaho IPA that he loved. (I forgot the name).  The food was just average, but after a day on the river we were hungry!

The place was filled with signs from various places the owners have been.  This one caught my eye!  And yes it was from Placerville, CA not Placerville, ID.  Seems that the owners once lived there where we did as well.